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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I dithered between three and four stars for this one. I found it hard to put down and I really wanted to know what was going to happen. I felt engaged with the main characters - less so with the suspects. It was a nice, traditional island mystery of the 'it had to be one of these people' type. The ending, however, actually upset me and I can't decide whether the author was clever for making me care so much or manipulative and gratuitous. Still chewing that one over, but I did really enjoy it.
This was a great mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed it up until about 20 pages from the end, when something happened that was so shocking and upsetting that I’m not sure I’ll continue to reas this series.
I enjoyed this book just because I kept guessing as to who the killer was. Didn't see it coming nor did I see the end coming! A good read because of the mystery.
One of the best
Great story convincingly told. The Shetland background such a strong influence in the telling. Place is the most important aspect of these books.
Great story convincingly told. The Shetland background such a strong influence in the telling. Place is the most important aspect of these books.
Wow, what a thriller. You might anticipate the ending, but will hope it unfolds differently.
As the Shetland quartet has progressed, Ann Cleeves books have become stronger and better. This book was incredible! While I was expecting Fran's death for some reason (a friend pre-warned me of a spoiler someone didn't have the common sense to hide!), it still didn't make it any less shocking. This book was very fast paced and enjoyable. The end left enough open for interpretation, it will be intresting to see what happens to Jimmy Perez after this, and if Cleeves writes anymore about Shetland Island.
I goy kind of bogged down in the third book in the s Ernie's, but I really liked this one. I wish there was a fifth to tie up some loose ends.
Although I don't think that you necessarily need to read these books in order, I am a little sad that I still have the second book to read, considering what happened in the Perez story this time. I know there are more Shetland books after this one but I think originally it was meant as a set of four. And what a way to end a series.
I do like Cleeves' writing. As well as the murder mystery she creates such a sense of place and the ongoing story of Perez's life is interesting. I've only spent a week on Shetland and I've not been to Fair Isle but even so I do think her books are very true to Shetland life. And of course she did live and work on Fair Isle for a time.
In this book Perez is going back to his home on Fair island - a tiny island to the south of the Shetland block. He's going back to the homestead so that his parents can meet his fiancé. Also on the island is the bird station where all the twitchers go. My goodness what an obsessed world, with all different kinds of levels for the bird watchers. Anyway, the woman in charge of the station is a bit of a manipulative, heartless character who ends up with a knife in the back. It's up to Perez to solve the murder. The weathers so bad so there's no way on or off the island. With a captive audience you'd think it would be a quick job, but the plot is complicated to unpick and then other people start turning up dead...
Fascinating story with a gut-wrenching ending. I've read several in this series but missed this one until now. Glad I read it. Need to see how many others in the series I've missed.
